The Strategic Partnership with the US and strengthening NATO's presence were the topics discussed in Bucharest on Saturday by interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu and US House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers.

According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release, Oana Toiu welcomed a delegation of the US Congress led by Mike Rogers (R-Alabama), chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee, alongside Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois), a member of the the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, and Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg, for talks focused on strengthening the defence and security component of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US.

The meeting is part of the enhanced political dialogue between officials over the past year, with the most recent bilateral meeting taking place in Washington in July 2026, as well as the MAE's strategic approach to strengthening bipartisan support in the US Congress for the Strategic Partnership, the MAE mentioned.

The Romanian minister and Congressman Mike Rogers discussed supporting a stronger US presence in Romania and on the Eastern Flank as part of the review of the US posture in Europe, ongoing dialogue with Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus Grynkewich, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

'The consistent message from the Romanian side has been to highlight Romania's role as a responsible and reliable US Ally in the Black Sea region, acting proactively towards the goal of a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO. This objective can only be achieved through close transatlantic coordination, in which the US legislature and its relevant committees have an essential role,' the MAE said.

At the initiative of the interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Romania joined the US Department of State's Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA) exchange programme for the first time this year, and the advisory teams of the US delegation were invited to Romania for a working visit, in its first edition this year, in October, with a programme that also includes the 'Mihail Kogalniceanu' Military Base.

Minister Oana Toiu reviewed recent security developments, the priority given by the Government and the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) to investment in strategic infrastructure and strengthening national defence capabilities, as well as investment in dual-use infrastructure, including port and transport infrastructure.

'She highlighted the advantages of locating production in Romania, including the availability of a skilled workforce, a significant industrial tradition and the capacity to rapidly increase production of elements and systems for which demand cannot be met by existing capacity and locating US investments in Romania not only contributes to the economic growth of both countries, but also provides access to a European procurement market, including through the SAFE [Security Action for Europe] instrument. She also reviewed the presentation of Romanian industry and the research and innovation ecosystem at NATO headquarters for the first time, as well as Romania hosting the NATO Industry Forum in Bucharest last year and the B9 Summit declaration,' the quoted source mentioned.

The US delegation expressed its appreciation for the minister's consistent engagement with the US Congress in Washington, Romania's conduct as a reliable ally and its contribution to strengthening the defence and deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank. They also highlighted the good cooperation between the Romanian and US defence industries, and the significant potential for deepening this relationship.

The high officials also discussed Romania's contribution as a solid anchor in EU-US relations, the release also mentioned. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)